JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After last month’s devastating fire, RISE plans to bring in forensic engineers to determine if the concrete parking garage and “podium” at the Doro apartments Downtown can be reused.
When we arrived at the RISE Doro Friday, we saw a worker near the 5-story garage, likely an engineer, conducting some work. He was on the bottom floor, in an enclosed glassed-in area.
It was evidence that at least the garage area is structurally sound, but RISE officials are still waiting on the fire marshals’ final report to determine the next steps.
One month ago, flames tore through the apartment complex downtown just days before the first renters were scheduled to start moving in.
Demolition of the structure is making progress as crews have been at it now for roughly three weeks. The work is expected to last several more.
The hope for RISE is that when the rebuild begins, they won’t have to start from scratch.
Depending on the reports from the state and insurance company, Rise wants to hire a structural engineer to see if they can salvage the concrete garage and base of the building.
The apartment building was a wood-frame structure, which firefighters said contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Demolition alone will cost $1 million. The original building had a $67 million price tag. But RISE has made it clear the company “absolutely” wants to rebuild.
